Brandon LaFell hasn't had much sleep since signing with the Oakland Raiders.
Out of a job for more than a month after being let go in a somewhat surprising move by the Cincinnati Bengals
Harrison Smith Jersey Big , LaFell has been too busy trying to learn Jon Gruden's complex and wordy offense in hopes of being ready to play in next
week's season opener.
"It's a lot going on right now," LaFell said Wednesday. "Right now for me it's just leaving everything from Cincinnati out of my head and trying to
refresh things with everything I'm learning now. A lot of the terminology is
somewhat the same. I've grasped some of the same concept so far but it's a lot
right now."
That LaFell is in Oakland is a little mystifying. He signed a $9 million, two-year extension with the Bengals in 2017 and received a $1.25 million roster
bonus in March.
The Raiders didn't seem to have much need for another receiver either after signing free agent Jordy Nelson and trading a third-round pick to Pittsburgh for
Martavis Bryant.
It all changed quickly for both sides.
Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis was quoted as saying LaFell was feeling the heat in training camp from some of the Bengals' younger receivers. LaFell
responded by asking for his release, which the team did on Aug. 2.
Coupled with Oakland's decision to release Bryant during final roster cutdowns, it created an opening on the Raiders for LaFell.
"He's a good player," Gruden said. "He has played multiple roles and played well when he's played. We think he can come in and get ready quickly to make a
contribution. He's got size that we like, he's an excellent blocker. He's going
to give us some versatility and depth, which we need."
The well-traveled LaFell has a resume that was certainly attractive to the Raiders.
A third-round pick by Carolina in 2010, LaFell caught a career-high 74 passes for 953 yards and seven touchdowns and won a Super Bowl with New England
following the 2014 season.
Over the past two years in Cincinnati LaFell caught 116 passes for 1
Derrick Henry Jersey Big ,410 yards and nine touchdowns.
"A smart guy, a guy that's played with Tom Brady when I was in New York," Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist said. "Crafty guy, big guy, can run for his size
and can go up and get the ball. Can play in the slot, can play outside. You need
a guy like that."
LaFell arrived in Oakland late and spent his first practice on the scout team. He spent Wednesday's workout backing up Nelson.
"It is crazy right now," LaFell said. "Luckily my receivers coach (Edgar Bennett) said for the first couple of days just learn the X so I'll be the
outside receiver and rotating with Jordy whenever he gets tired. Hopefully,
these first two weeks I can stay at X and just focus on learning that X spot
right now and as the season goes on start moving me around."
Bryant was let go, in part
Womens Andy Dalton Jersey , because of his lack of versatility in Gruden's offense. That doesn't appear to be an issue for LaFell.
"I've always felt like the more spots I knew, the faster I can play and the more time I can stay on the field," he said "A lot of guys are going to get
tired and need to check out or check in here and there so the more spots I know
I don't have to leave the game. I can just slide over, slide from outside to
inside."
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The Clippers are finally out of their misery, a long season marred by significant injuries coming to an end just short of the playoffs.
They finished with a winning record of 42-40, but their streak of consecutive postseason appearances ended at six. They closed out the season Wednesday night
with a 115-100 loss to the Lakers, dropping their last four games in a row.
They kept their playoff hopes alive until the final week of the regular season despite the injuries. Eleven players missed a total of 265 games.
Coach Doc Rivers started an NBA-leading 37 different lineups because of the injuries. The Clippers were forced to dip into the G League for starters, most
notably C.J. Williams (who was signed to a multi-year deal) and Tyrone
Wallace.
The season began with nine new players on the roster after the offseason departures of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford.
But injuries soon befell the newcomers. Point guard Patrick Beverley was lost for the season after right knee surgery; starter Danilo Gallinari missed 60
games with hand and glute issues; backup guard Milos Teodosic was out 36 games
with foot problems; and guard Avery Bradley was out 24 games.
Some takeaways from the Clippers’ season:
BIG MAN’S FUTURE: DeAndre Jordan has a player option of $24.1 million for next season or he could explore free agency. He and the team have yet to agree
on an extension. ”I want to be where I’m wanted
Womens Kevin White Jersey ,” Jordan said. ”I want to have a chance to contend. That’s really what I’m looking at.” He averaged 12 points and 15.2 rebounds, but
just 0.9 blocks. Jordan has spent his entire 10-year career with the Clippers
and he turns 30 in July. ”Let’s not write the script yet,” Rivers said of
Jordan’s future.
DOC’S FUTURE: Rivers is entering the final year of his contract. He could either receive an extension or leave after five years in Los Angeles. He was
stripped of his duties as president of basketball operations a year ago, leaving
his focus solely on the court. ”I love where we’re at as a franchise,” Rivers
said. While he has yet to match the success he enjoyed in Boston (two NBA Finals
appearances and one title), he pulled off one of his best coaching jobs by
keeping the Clippers in contention all season when it would have been easy for
them to fold. ”I really commend him for sticking with us,” Jordan said. Rivers
trusted younger players to produce and swingman Montrezl Harrell blossomed under
his tutelage.
LOU WILL: Lou Williams led the team with career highs in scoring (22.6 points) and assists (5.3) coming off the bench in his 13th season and first in
Los Angeles. His scoring average was the highest of any reserve in the last 25
years. He received a $24 million, three-year deal in February and was a key
reason the Clippers remained competitive despite their injuries. ”My job this
summer is getting myself prepared,” he said. ”There’s always room for
improvement.”
DRAFT PICKS: Besides their own pick
Authentic Ezekiel Elliott Jersey , the Clippers will have Detroit’s pick that they received from trading Blake Griffin in January.
FREE AGENCY: Besides Jordan, the Clippers could have decisions to make if starting guard Austin Rivers and Teodosic exercise their player options and
become free agents. Rivers averaged career highs in points, assists, 3-point
percentage and minutes. Bradley will be an unrestricted free agent. However,
injuries blunted his impact. Harrell will be a restricted free agent, which
allows the Clippers to match any offer he would receive. He was an energetic
force off the bench.
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